Community News: Feb. 14

Published: Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 1:00 p.m.

Whitney Hodge, 11, is the recipient of the Presidential Award and will travel to Washington, D.C. from June 29 until July 4. She was nominated by previous elementary school teachers.

Hodge is a student at Apple Valley Middle School. She will get to visit the White House, Lincoln Memorial and other landmarks.

"I am looking forward to meeting new people and learning some things that will help me become a better leader in life," Hodge said.

Four Seasons vice president steps down

Tina Gentry, CFRE, submitted her resignation as Four Seasons vice president of Patient Access and Sustainable Resources, which was effective Feb. 8.

Gentry, who joined Four Seasons in 2003, has had an invaluable impact on the organization, according to a news release from the organization. In 2008, Gentry led Four Seasons through a successful rebranding that aided the nonprofit in becoming a regional provider of hospice and palliative care. Under her leadership, Four Seasons achieved an 80 percent Death Service Ratio in the local area.

Gentry led the $5.2 million capital campaign to expand the Elizabeth House and build Greatrex Place Clinical and Administrative Services Building, the largest capital campaign in the history of Henderson County, the release says.

"Tina Gentry is leaving Four Seasons setup for incredible success for the future," Four Seasons President and CEO Chris Comeaux said. "Our donors, volunteers and staff are committed to our mission and vision, and Tina has played a large part in helping us get to that level of commitment."

Gentry will return to her hometown of Beaufort, S.C. to serve as president and CEO of United Way of the Lowcountry.

"We will miss Tina terribly, but know she will do incredible things in her hometown of Beaufort," Comeaux added. "All of us at Four Seasons will be cheering her on in her new role, knowing that she will be setting her organization up for success just like she did for us."

Derek Groves, director of Marketing and Development, will serve as interim vice president of Sustainable Resources until a permanent decision is made.

TD Charitable Foundation donates $7,500 to center

The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, recently donated a total of $7,500 to the Children & Family Resource Center.

The Children & Family Resource Center aims to improve children's lives through parent education, quality childcare resources, and leadership on children's issues throughout the community. Funds from the foundation will be used to support The Adolescent Parenting Program and will allow parent educators to serve first-time pregnant and parenting teenagers in Henderson County.

The programs assists adolescent parents as they receive their high school diploma or GED, prevent subsequent teen pregnancies, acquire job skills, and improve parenting abilities to establish a strong foundation for their children.

The need in Henderson County is great. According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2010 there were 138 teenage pregnancies of girls ages 15–19. Based on the school nurse report through the Henderson County Department of Public Health, in the 2011–12 school year, there were 54 pregnancies among middle and high school students in the school system.

Family Education & Support Coordinator Summer Stipe said she "is thrilled to have received the Community Grant from the TD Charitable Foundation for the Adolescent Parenting Program. With the state pulling the funds for the Dropout Prevention Grants, we are looking locally to fill the gap. This grant will help us do that for the 2013-2014 program year."

50 attend inaugural Investors Update Lunch

The Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development hosted the inaugural Investors Update Lunch on Wednesday, Jan. 23.

The event was introduced in the fall of 2012 as a new benefit of Presidential and Patron membership investment. More than 50 investors gathered at the Hendersonville Country Club to hear from HCPED staff on "What You're Investing In."

The meeting offered a new outlet for members to connect, and also provided access to the Partnership's programs and plans for existing industry, marketing, product development and advocacy.

Chip Gould, HCPED board chairman, opened the program by explaining why Cason Companies has been a continuing member of the Partnership since the organization's founding, and why he chooses to invest time through volunteer service to support the HCPED mission.

Andrew Tate started the formal presentation by sharing a big-picture overview on organizational operations, including how duties are segmented by existing industry, marketing, product development and advocacy. Tate presented briefly the sources of revenue to the Partnership, as well as common expense items for private dollars, and the items that the Partnership tracks and measures to ensure accountability and good stewardship.

Josh Hallingse, director of industry relations, contributed by detailing how HCPED works with the 135 existing manufacturers in the community and has developed one of the strongest existing industry programs in the state. Marketing and Communications Coordinator Brittany Brady explained that the Partnership is the professional economic development marketing entity for the area, proactively pursuing targeted sectors for new business growth and putting Henderson County in front of decision makers that can impact project decisions.

Tate concluded the program by sharing how the Partnership is moving forward with product development initiatives to improve the marketability of specific property, and public policy matters that are being monitored in 2013.

The Partnership plans to host Investors Update events twice a year, to encourage a new outlet for our members to connect and also to ensure that there are opportunities for our members to provide feedback on the organization's activities and direction.

The next Investors Update Luncheon is being planned for July and will include a tour of a manufacturing operation that has been growing in Henderson County. For more information about the event or to find out more about membership, contact brittany@hcped.org or call 828-692-6373.

Masters receives the Allstate Agency Hands in Community Award

Local Allstate Personal Financial Representative Roy Masters received the Allstate Agency Hands in the Community Award for his commitment to helping others and community service.

The Allstate Foundation awarded a $1,000 grant to the Hendersonville Kiwanis Club for the benefit of Special Needs Baseball, where Masters assists with planning and weekly execution of the league. Special Needs Baseball is a no-cost baseball league for children with special needs of all ages.

The Allstate Foundation awards $2 million every year to nonprofit organizations across the country in honor of dedicated Allstate agency owners who give back to their communities through outstanding volunteerism. To be eligible for nomination, Allstate agency owners must volunteer, mentor, or lead a nonprofit of their choice.

<p>Hodge a recipient of Presidential Award</p><p>Whitney Hodge, 11, is the recipient of the Presidential Award and will travel to Washington, D.C. from June 29 until July 4. She was nominated by previous elementary school teachers. </p><p>Hodge is a student at Apple Valley Middle School. She will get to visit the White House, Lincoln Memorial and other landmarks.</p><p>"I am looking forward to meeting new people and learning some things that will help me become a better leader in life," Hodge said. </p><p>Four Seasons vice president steps down </p><p>Tina Gentry, CFRE, submitted her resignation as Four Seasons vice president of Patient Access and Sustainable Resources, which was effective Feb. 8. </p><p>Gentry, who joined Four Seasons in 2003, has had an invaluable impact on the organization, according to a news release from the organization. In 2008, Gentry led Four Seasons through a successful rebranding that aided the nonprofit in becoming a regional provider of hospice and palliative care. Under her leadership, Four Seasons achieved an 80 percent Death Service Ratio in the local area.</p><p>Gentry led the $5.2 million capital campaign to expand the Elizabeth House and build Greatrex Place Clinical and Administrative Services Building, the largest capital campaign in the history of Henderson County, the release says. </p><p>"Tina Gentry is leaving Four Seasons setup for incredible success for the future," Four Seasons President and CEO Chris Comeaux said. "Our donors, volunteers and staff are committed to our mission and vision, and Tina has played a large part in helping us get to that level of commitment."</p><p>Gentry will return to her hometown of Beaufort, S.C. to serve as president and CEO of United Way of the Lowcountry.</p><p>"We will miss Tina terribly, but know she will do incredible things in her hometown of Beaufort," Comeaux added. "All of us at Four Seasons will be cheering her on in her new role, knowing that she will be setting her organization up for success just like she did for us."</p><p>Derek Groves, director of Marketing and Development, will serve as interim vice president of Sustainable Resources until a permanent decision is made. </p><p>TD Charitable Foundation donates $7,500 to center</p><p>The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, recently donated a total of $7,500 to the Children & Family Resource Center. </p><p>The Children & Family Resource Center aims to improve children's lives through parent education, quality childcare resources, and leadership on children's issues throughout the community. Funds from the foundation will be used to support The Adolescent Parenting Program and will allow parent educators to serve first-time pregnant and parenting teenagers in Henderson County. </p><p>The programs assists adolescent parents as they receive their high school diploma or GED, prevent subsequent teen pregnancies, acquire job skills, and improve parenting abilities to establish a strong foundation for their children. </p><p>The need in Henderson County is great. According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2010 there were 138 teenage pregnancies of girls ages 15–19. Based on the school nurse report through the Henderson County Department of Public Health, in the 2011–12 school year, there were 54 pregnancies among middle and high school students in the school system. </p><p>Family Education & Support Coordinator Summer Stipe said she "is thrilled to have received the Community Grant from the TD Charitable Foundation for the Adolescent Parenting Program. With the state pulling the funds for the Dropout Prevention Grants, we are looking locally to fill the gap. This grant will help us do that for the 2013-2014 program year."</p><p>50 attend inaugural Investors Update Lunch</p><p>The Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development hosted the inaugural Investors Update Lunch on Wednesday, Jan. 23. </p><p>The event was introduced in the fall of 2012 as a new benefit of Presidential and Patron membership investment. More than 50 investors gathered at the Hendersonville Country Club to hear from HCPED staff on "What You're Investing In."</p><p>The meeting offered a new outlet for members to connect, and also provided access to the Partnership's programs and plans for existing industry, marketing, product development and advocacy.</p><p>Chip Gould, HCPED board chairman, opened the program by explaining why Cason Companies has been a continuing member of the Partnership since the organization's founding, and why he chooses to invest time through volunteer service to support the HCPED mission. </p><p>Andrew Tate started the formal presentation by sharing a big-picture overview on organizational operations, including how duties are segmented by existing industry, marketing, product development and advocacy. Tate presented briefly the sources of revenue to the Partnership, as well as common expense items for private dollars, and the items that the Partnership tracks and measures to ensure accountability and good stewardship. </p><p>Josh Hallingse, director of industry relations, contributed by detailing how HCPED works with the 135 existing manufacturers in the community and has developed one of the strongest existing industry programs in the state. Marketing and Communications Coordinator Brittany Brady explained that the Partnership is the professional economic development marketing entity for the area, proactively pursuing targeted sectors for new business growth and putting Henderson County in front of decision makers that can impact project decisions. </p><p>Tate concluded the program by sharing how the Partnership is moving forward with product development initiatives to improve the marketability of specific property, and public policy matters that are being monitored in 2013.</p><p>The Partnership plans to host Investors Update events twice a year, to encourage a new outlet for our members to connect and also to ensure that there are opportunities for our members to provide feedback on the organization's activities and direction. </p><p>The next Investors Update Luncheon is being planned for July and will include a tour of a manufacturing operation that has been growing in Henderson County. For more information about the event or to find out more about membership, contact brittany@hcped.org or call 828-692-6373.</p><p>Masters receives the Allstate Agency Hands in Community Award</p><p>Local Allstate Personal Financial Representative Roy Masters received the Allstate Agency Hands in the Community Award for his commitment to helping others and community service. </p><p>The Allstate Foundation awarded a $1,000 grant to the Hendersonville Kiwanis Club for the benefit of Special Needs Baseball, where Masters assists with planning and weekly execution of the league. Special Needs Baseball is a no-cost baseball league for children with special needs of all ages. </p><p>The Allstate Foundation awards $2 million every year to nonprofit organizations across the country in honor of dedicated Allstate agency owners who give back to their communities through outstanding volunteerism. To be eligible for nomination, Allstate agency owners must volunteer, mentor, or lead a nonprofit of their choice.</p>